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sandy1228 · Sep 7, 2007, 12:46 PM

We have a two year old dauchsund who has only had one accident in his crate in the last six months... until this week. My husband rotates working nights and days every four months, so this week he began working days again. This means that Toby has to stay in his crate during the day while we are both gone. The longest he has to stay in is 8 hours. He is used to going 8 hours without pottying because when my husband is on night shift, Toby sleeps with him for 8 hours during the day and does not potty in the house. But, everyday this week, I have had to wash his blankets and disinfect his crate. Could this be because he is mad at us? Will it end?

labman · Sep 7, 2007, 07:42 PM

The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss

Although a dog's personality and temperament are largely determined by genetics and socialization before 12 weeks, it is not mature until 3 years old. It does sound like a typical challenge from a maturing dog. Why now, rather than being mad at you, it is just common at that age. I can't say better leadership on your part will fix the problems quickly. The most likely quick fix it to fix Toby if not already. Using a grid in the crate as I explain in the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251809 won't solve the problem, but make it easier to cope with until you do.